Environmentally Sustainable Tourism: A Case for Carbon Trading at Northern Queensland Hotels and Resorts

Abstract

Using Cairns, North Queensland as a case study, energy consumption by the tourism industry is reviewed in light of empirical growth in international visitation and reliance of the industry on the natural attributes of a region to sell beds. Perceptions of environmental performance in the industry are found wanting in respect of sustainable tourism development principles and initiatives. Carbon dioxide emissions per tourist bed are found to average 748.8 kg CO2 per year for the Cairns region. Moderate emissions reductions can be made by way of increased energy efficiency and some stand alone renewables. However, excess emissions by luxury hotels/resorts providing a high level of hospitality services cannot be accommodated by stand alone systems. An investment in carbon sinks is recommended, or alternately a carbon tax amounting to $5.23 per bed per year now, or based on emissions, $15.38 per tonne of CO2 per year.